Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Kabyle Algerian Fibula

Posted by Lynn Ardent on September 13, 2014 at 11:38pm

This is a silver fibula with enamel and coral. The blue enamel is an denim/indigo color and the green enamel is yellowish. The central pin in a lower grade silver or nickel alloy. I know very little about Berber jewelry, any additional information? Photo of back is in the comments.

Comments

Lynn Ardent September 13, 2014 at 11:43pm

Adding photo of back.
Alaa eddine SAGID September 15, 2014 at 1:26pm

Classical kabyle design but of a later smithing, on older version back was enameled BUT on your there is still the fastening pin which is obviously a sign of an ethnic use
Lynn Ardent September 15, 2014 at 8:42pm

Thank you for the information Alaa.
Lynn Ardent October 27, 2014 at 4:38am

I found another example, claimed by the Victoria and Albert museum as 19th century, with no enamel on the back. The blue color is very similar but the yellow and green are different. http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O133488/brooch-unknown/